New to Eeling.

[Rolling Rock]

I need some guidense on drag setting technique when drifting eels. I did this for the first time last week and missed the first four hits. I had my drags set very loose (Penn 330 GTI). When the fish hit, they peeled off six or so feet of line then let go. Then I tightened up the drags (but after the bite was off). Three hours later another hit and the fish was on. What is the proper technique for dead sticking eels? I had five lines out, one on the bottom and the other four on floats staggered up the water collumn. I got all but one hit on the shallow bait (10 feet down).

[alby man]

I fish my eels a little different , I use a fishfinder and 8oz of lead on the deep baits and have two free swimming eels without any weight . drags are set light to let the fish get the eel in his mouth and take it away . I also am using circle hooks all I have to do to set the hook is tighten the drag up . good luck I will be fishing the tunnel area next week 15 thru 18 th Dec .

[rickrider]

What is the recommended way to hook eels and with what size hook? I have been hooking them just up from the tail through the center of the body. I have been using an 8/0 circle on a fish finder but with 3oz of weight. I still have trouble from time to time with them rolling up in the line and making a big mess. I guess that comes with using eels.

[martineta]

I hook my eels through the tail. That way they are swimming away from your line. Big fish have no trouble sucking them down. I use circle hooks from 5/0 to 9/0 depending on the size of my bait. Good luck.

[alby man]

stick the eels trough the top and bottom lips from the bottom up . I have been using 6/0 circles and give the eels a whack on the gunnel to break the backbone near its tail .

[Rolling Rock]

ALBY MAN,

I had my drags set as light as I could and I think the fish felt the pull and spit the eel after peeling off some line. If I had been holding the rod in my hand, I probably could have set the hook but with them in the holder, by the time I picked it up the fish was gone....four times. What am I doing wrong?

RR

[alby man]

pick the rod up count to 30 raise rod tip up and tighten drag down easy . with circles most guys will pull the hook out trying to set it , with circle hooks the hook sets itself DO NOT TRY TO SET THE HOOK . another thing you can try is just leave the reel in gear and let the fish hook themselves . I fish with circle hooks offshore for tuna and use them to bail mahi also . you can use J hooks if you are having a problem getting the steel in them about a 6/0 is plenty big for stripers

[tpaulino]

Hey Kevin, what you doing giving away all our secrets for eeling! Only kidding, you right on the money though with the circle hooks. I use 8/0 and 9/0 hooks usually since these slobs have big mouths. I've never caught a striper smaller then 34" with eels. If your not using ciecle hooks the second they hit you can set the hook, be ready!.

I even power drift eels too if the wind/current is not cooperatings and the drift is too slow. Have had some good luck at the CBBT slow trolling eels off a mojo on a 3 way.

[rickrider]

I have fished the Outer Banks several times and eels seem to be the bait of choice around the bridge pillings. I haven't heard very much about using eels in the lower Rapp. or the bay. Are they not as good here or maybe I just don't know? I know the catfisherman use them in the upper Rap.